Sharon Paynter-Cleaves
June 14, 1953 - January 24, 2017
Obituary
MADISON/Waldwick - Sharon Paynter-Cleaves, age 63, passed away January 24, 2017 at Agrace Hospice Fitchburg. Sharon was born June 14, 1953 to Robert and Glenda Arlene (Tagatz) Paynter. She attended grade school at the two-room Waldwick School and graduated valedictorian from Mineral Point High School in 1971. She graduated from UW-Platteville with a degree in Accounting and Business Administration and received a graduate banking certification from the Pacific Coast Banking School in Seattle WA. She began her career working as a bank examiner with the FDIC and traveling throughout the country. She then worked in accounting for private companies in Washington DC. Upon returning to Madison in 1989, she worked in accounting for various government agencies, ending her career just this past year with UW-Madison. Sharon met the love of her life Andy Carl Cleaves while attending the University. They just celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary on December 31, 2016. Sharon loved painting, photography and music. She shared her love of music by playing piano and organ for weddings, funerals and church services. She taught piano lessons to adults and children, including her nephew, Tim, grandniece, Tian, and grandnephew, Dane.Sharon is survived by her husband, Andy Carl Cleaves. She is further survived by her sister: Nancy (Ron) Olsen; niece: Alissa (Nathan) Brooks and children Tian and Dane; nephew: Timothy Olsen; father: Robert Paynter; brothers: Craig Paynter and Thomas (Tammy) Paynter and children Dylan and Caelyn; nephew: Ryan (Candis) Paynter and children Keilea and Haylea; and aunts: Valda Ostby and Marion Howard; uncle: Paul Wilson; and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, Glenda Arlene Paynter, aunts: Eunice Wilson and Amy Page; and uncles: Sherman Ostby, Harvey Page, and Stanley Howard.A visitation will be held from 9:00am to 11:00am on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Erickson Funeral Home (508 Main Street, Darlington). A funeral service will commence at 11:00am at the funeral home. Burial will be held at the County Line Cemetery, County Line Road, east of Waldwick following the service. A celebration of Sharon's life will continue at the Brooklyn Community United Methodist Church (201 Church St., Brooklyn, WI 53521) at 2:00pm. Pastor George Kaminski of Brooklyn Community United Methodist Church will officiate. A luncheon will be served at the church. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Brooklyn Community United Methodist Church or Agrace Hospice (5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg WI, 53711).
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Memories
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Carol Knutson
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My sympathy to Sharon's family. Sharon was a classmate and a very sweet, caring gal. She & I played clarinet and enjoyed competing but she was without a doubt much better than me, I'll never forget our band challenges. RIP sweet Sharon, you were a wonderful person who showed great leadership in our school.
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Jennifer Schultz
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Sharon was so kind and thoughtful. She taught piano to my kids and always remembered their birthdays, their interests and knew their activities. She was very sweet and patient and definitely made the world a better place. We will miss you Sharon
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Judy Ferrell
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My deepest sympathies to the family of Sharon during this most difficult time. May she Rest In Peace.
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Sue Persinger Nordby
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My condolences to my Paynter cousins.
MR
Mike Reese
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I started my day feeling sad after seeing the morning paper's obituaries and finding the notice of Sharon's death. I knew she had fought off cancer for several years and had hoped she was going to be a survivor for many more. I had the privilege of knowing Sharon since 1998 and always knew her to be a happy soul ( the picture is perfect) who loved music. I remember her being especially happy to be able to play organ at her church at Christmas and to be able to teach children how to play piano. I am certain she is with God's choir now and will be happy forever.
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Susan C. Aldridge, Ph.D.
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My deepest sympathy to Carl and to the Paynter family over the passing of Sharon. I had the privilege of growing up with Sharon and attending the two room Waldwick School. My mother, Patricia Cockings, and Sharon's mother, Arlene Paynter, were wonderful friends as were our fathers. We spent many days and hours together playing as children, riding horses, and attending pasty lunches at the Waldwick church. While Sharon was working for FDIC and traveling across the US, we had many opportunities to reconnect for dinners and lunches. Sharon was such a serene, kind person. She was intelligent and dedicated to her work. I am grateful for her kindness and the ease with which she could re-engage in a friendship after many years of separation. The Cockings family is deeply saddened by this news. The Paynter family and Carl are in our thoughts and prayers. With sincere sympathy, Dr. Susan Cockings Aldridge